TAG : Private Language Schools

The domino effect

A look back at the EFL world in Thailand throughout 2009.

In Blogs: Tom Tuohy - 11th January 2010

The year started well enough in January with the usual Thailand TESOL conference. But as the year progressed - we had a scandal or two.

Tags: ministry of education teachers council of thailand thai culture course private language schools teachers council tesol conference discussion forums tesol conference opinions english first

For those of you pissing and moaning about visa runs, the immigration department, the work permit process, the unpredictability of the consulates in neighboring countries - let me tell you this - it was no better in the early 90s. In fact I'd say marginally worse.

Tags: teaching in thailand red tape private language schools teaching licences thailand red tape visa regulations visa runs thai language schools thai government policies thai consulates

Back to school

A brief overview of primary and secondary schools in Thailand

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st June 2008

There are three main kinds of schools in Thailand: government schools, private schools and international schools. Internationals schools are the most expensive, with average yearly fees ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 baht, depending on the quality and reputation of the school.

Tags: thai culture thai students ministry of education student problems thai culture course thai education system private language schools thai teenagers student dress codes government schools

Ways to improve Thai education

This should be the first government priority

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st March 2008

So how can Thailand improve its education? In a nutshell: train the trainers, put fewer students together, motivate them better, hire the right foreign educators to help this bring about, and involve parents more.

Tags: teacher recruitment teaching methodology teacher salaries student motivation qualifications qualified teachers private language schools training education reforms xenophobia

The academic debate

Does a degree make a good teacher?

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st February 2007

Now what if a teacher has a degree, but no teaching certificate? Would that be okay? Probably. What about having just a teaching certificate and no degree? Maybe. What about no qualifications at all but a lot of experience? Possibly. And finally, what about schools hiring people with no qualifications whatsoever and no experience, would that go well? There’s the odd chance that it might, but I doubt it.

Tags: teaching in thailand ministry of education unqualified teachers culture qualifications private language schools training tefl certificates government regulations degrees

We don’t learn like that!

Arrogance at the top and the politics of language schools

In Blogs: Steve Schertzer - 1st July 2006

I realize that many language schools have a huge problem listening to their teachers, especially the native English teachers. It's as if they want us to shut up and tow the party line; don't rock the boat; don't try to fix things. How is anything suppose to change for the better in an atmosphere like that? It's not enough for many language schools to tell us what to teach; they also feel they need to tell us what to think. It's their way or the highway.

Tags: teacher roles culture private language schools teaching websites school politics cultural misunderstandings clt bangkok language schools

Teaching the kiddies

Do they learn anything at all?

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st February 2006

Although weekend courses have to be fun for everyone involved, meaning both children and teacher, I think that fun and learning should be balanced. If the parents pay good money to get their kids on a course, the least a teacher should do is make sure that they learn some English. This can be done using fun and games, but not exclusively.

Tags: thai students teacher roles classroom activities teaching kids private language schools weekend work

The madness to the methods

The often crazy world of teaching in Korea

In Blogs Archived: Ken May - 1st August 2005

Despite being sequestered on the furthest border of the Kumi frontier, nearly fifteen miles away from the closest foreign teacher, I am still surrounded by hagwon mania. These private schools are everywhere. Due to all this severe competition, schools habitually search for new angles to draw in students. At times the teaching methods advocated are only passing fads and cheap gimmicks.

Tags: teacher problems teaching methodology teaching kids teaching in korea private language schools teaching adults korean culture bad school management classroom technology toefl

A teacher’s lot

A week in the life of an English teacher

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st December 2004

As Friday is my day off, I consider Saturday to be the start of my working week. Yes, that’s right, I work six days a week, not unusual if you work for a language school. Unlike Thai schools, the weekend is the busiest time for language schools.

Tags: teaching in thailand thai students private language schools teaching adults teaching conversation sightseeing teaching hours adult students weekend work

Heaven and Hell

Tips for teaching kids

In Blogs: Phil Roeland - 1st October 2004

Don’t think teaching kids is easy, it’s not. Tie everything down that’s yours. Keep it in your pocket, your bag, briefcase, socks, travel pouch, wherever. Learn to enjoy singing.

Tags: teaching in thailand teaching methodology thai students classroom activities student discipline teaching kids private language schools student materials young learners

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